Background: Myocardial bridging (MB) may represent a cause of myocardial ischemia in patients with non‐obstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD). Herein, we assessed the interplay between MB and coronary vasomotor disorders, also evaluating their prognostic relevance in patients with myocardial infarction and non‐obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) or stable NOCAD. Methods and Results: We prospectively enrolled patients with NOCAD undergoing intracoronary acetylcholine provocative test. The incidence of major adverse cardiac events, defined as the composite of cardiac death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, and rehospitalization for unstable angina, was assessed at follow‐up. We also assessed angina status using Seattle Angina Questionnaires summary score. We enrolled 310 patients (mean age, 60.6±11.9; 136 [43.9%] men; 169 [54.5%] stable NOCAD and 141 [45.5%] MINOCA). MB was found in 53 (17.1%) patients. MB and a positive acetylcholine test coexisted more frequently in patients with MINOCA versus stable NOCAD. MB was an independent predictor of positive acetylcholine test and MINOCA. At follow‐up (median, 22 months; interquartile range, 13–32), patients with MB had a higher rate of major adverse cardiac events, mainly driven by a higher rate of hospitalization attributable to angina, and a lower Seattle Angina Questionnaires summary score (all P <0.001) compared with patients without MB. In particular, the group of patients with MB and a positive acetylcholine test had the worst prognosis. Conclusions: Among patients with NOCAD, coronary spasm associated with MB may predict a worse clinical presentation with MINOCA and a higher rate of hospitalization attributable to angina at long‐term follow‐up with a low rate of hard events.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery (MINOCA) disease represents a heterogeneous clinical conundrum accounting for about 6% of all acute myocardial infarction (MI) cases. Init...

Background and Aims: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) de-escalation strategies improve outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared to standard DAPT. However, the potential impact of sex on the safety and efficacy of these strategies is yet to be fully investigated. Methods: Randomized controlled trials comparing de-escalated vs standard DAPT regimens in patients without baseline indication for oral anticoagulation reporting outcomes stratified by sex were included. The co-primary endpoints were trial-defined major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major bleeding. Hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to account for different follow-up durations. A network meta-analysis including ranking of treatments was performed to explore the comparative effects of different DAPT de-escalation strategies among females and males. Results: Overall, 71 272 patients from 20 trials were included, and 23.3% were female. De-escalation strategies were grouped into (1) DAPT discontinuation, by aspirin or the P2Y12 inhibitor; or (2) P2Y12 inhibitor switch or dose reduction. With DAPT discontinuation vs standard DAPT, a significant interaction between treatment effect and sex was found for both MACE (Pint = .028) and major bleeding (Pint = .015). Indeed, DAPT discontinuation reduced MACE in females (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75–0.98) but not in males (HR, 1.04; 95% CI 0.93–1.16), while reducing major bleeding in males (HR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44–0.82) but not in females (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.76–1.43), compared to standard DAPT. Conversely, no interactions by sex were found with P2Y12 inhibitor switch or dose reduction vs standard DAPT for both MACE (Pint = .668) and major bleeding (Pint = .858). At treatment ranking, aspirin discontinuation ranked best for most outcomes in females, while P2Y12 inhibitor switch to clopidogrel showed the best outcomes in males. Conclusions: Sex may influence the safety and efficacy of antiplatelet de-escalation strategies after PCI, particularly those involving the shortening of DAPT. Aspirin discontinuation may represent the optimal strategy for females, while P2Y12 inhibitor switch to clopidogrel may be most effective for males.

Myocardial bridging (MB) is the most frequent congenital coronary anomaly characterized by a segment of an epicardial coronary artery that passes through the myocardium. MB is an important cause of myocardial ischemia and is also emerging as a possible cause of myocardial infarction with non-obstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA). There are multiple mechanisms underlying MINOCA in patients with MB (i.e., MB-mediated increased risk of epicardial or microvascular coronary spasm, atherosclerotic plaque disruption and spontaneous coronary artery dissection). The identification of the exact pathogenetic mechanism is crucial in order to establish a patient-tailored therapy. This review provides the most up-to-date evidence regarding the pathophysiology of MINOCA in patients with MB. Moreover, it focuses on the available diagnostic tools that could be implemented at the time of coronary angiography to achieve a pathophysiologic diagnosis. Finally, it focuses on the therapeutic implications associated with the different pathogenetic mechanisms of MINOCA in patients with MB.